Josh Grisetti dies at 44: Broadway star's cause of death revealed as industry peers pay tribute

Grisetti was renowned for his role as Ralph Emerson in the 5th and final season of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'

Actor, director and musical theatre educator Josh Grisetti has died aged 44, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues across Broadway and television.

People confirmed that Grisetti died by suicide on Friday, July 10.

The news was shared publicly by Grisetti's close friend and Something Rotten! co-star Rob McClure, who paid tribute in an emotional Instagram post.

“It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday,” McClure wrote.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this.”

McClure, who served as best man at Grisetti's wedding, added: “[My wife] and I are beyond heartbroken.”

“We love you Josh. Just a cataclysmic loss. Memorial info to come in time.”

Tributes also came from fellow performers including Rachel Zegler, Caissie Levy, Lea Salonga, Erika Henningsen, Drew Gehling, Donna Murphy and Sierra Boggess.

Murphy described him as “a beautiful, gifted human and artist”, while Boggess wrote, “We all loved him so unbelievably much. He created light and thought and humor everywhere he went. He was a BRILLIANT actor and director and writer.”

Television audiences recognised Grisetti for his recurring role as Ralph Emerson in the fifth and final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, appearing in eight episodes. He also featured in ABC's The Knights of Prosperity and films including The Immigrant, Revolutionary Road and The Namesake.

Beyond acting, Grisetti built a respected career on Broadway with productions including It Shoulda Been You, Something Rotten!, Rent, Peter and the Starcatcher and Camelot.

He was also a dedicated educator, leading the Musical Theatre programme at California State University, Fullerton, after previously teaching at Fullerton College and Loyola Marymount University.

Just days before his death, Grisetti revealed on Instagram that he had stepped away from directing Legally Blonde: The Musical at Italy's Trentino Music Festival “for personal reasons”. He is survived by his wife, Mackenzie Grisetti, whom he married six years ago.